Ways To Protect Trees While Landscaping – taking the necessary measures to keep them safe and healthy

 

Protecting Your Tree When Landscaping

Landscaping projects are designed to produce modifications of existing outdoor areas, mainly to achieve better aesthetic, environmental and functional results. They include many operations that must be managed properly, to avoid negative consequences on the environment.

Construction is probably the most disruptive operation that affects trees on areas subjected to landscape modifications, therefore it requires a set of precautions that must be planned and implemented before starting the project.

Remember that trees cannot go anywhere during the landscaping project and they may be damaged by debris and compromised because of lack of water, as well as because of compacted soil. They are trapped in the midst of works and equipment that may affect their roots, trunks and branches, leaving them wounded and vulnerable to the attack of parasitic insects.

Read on and learn more about ways to protect trees while landscaping.  Be sure to request underground cable locator services before any digging is performed.

 

Know the local legal provisions

There are rules about protecting trees during construction projects, so you should ensure that your landscaping contractor is familiar with them. Talk about this aspect during the project preparation stage. Remember that removing trees is not an option unless they are not structurally sound and may become a threat to your property. Make sure that your landscaping contractor appraises the stability of your trees and anticipates the way they will integrate in the new landscape, before taking any decision about them.

Your contractor should be able to handle any operation that is required: protecting, transplanting or removing trees.

 

How to mark the perimeter of a tree

The tree perimeter must be marked to ensure that it is not crossed by equipment that may cause damage to the roots. The root system typically extends in all directions almost as far as the height of the tree and you must consider protecting at least 50% of it, to ensure that the tree will remain healthy. Digging and excavating work may be particularly damaging to a tree`s roots, so do your best to minimize the damage by digging the hole/ trench at least 2,5 m away from the tree and fill it in quickly, to avoid stress.

Protecting the trunk and the branches is another priority that can be achieved by placing a temporary barricade around the tree, to keep workers and equipment away. These parts off a tree are very easy to be damaged and, if it happens, wounds must be treated immediately by removing lose bark and wood and leaving the area open. Check the damaged trees periodically, as it may take a very long time to show signs of damage. For better awareness, you can use bright materials for raising the barricades around the trees, as well as attention signs or flags that the landscaping workers must respect.

You should also add a layer of wood chips around the tree, to protect the soil and ensure that there is a water source nearby, to saturate the soil around the roots at least every two weeks.